Koh Tao Community Portal Page - News and Information about Scuba Diving and much more

Underwater World Pattaya is located in South Pattaya and is the largest and most modern ocean aquarium in Asia with a 100-metre-long acrylic pedestrian tunnel. This attraction features exotic marine life displays, providing every visitor the unique experience of seeing the creatures of the deep through crystal clear water. The showcase of Underwater World begins at the "Touch Pool" area, which is a shallow pool that allows visitors to observe and interact with underwater animals such as bamboo sharks, stingrays, starfish, and many species of fish, seaweeds, coloured corals and archer fish.

It is bemusing to watch the archer fish as they try to knock food from your hand that you dangle within their view. Visitors then proceed down the state-of-the-art acrylic underwater passageway which is divided into 3 zones. The first part is the "Reef Zone". This features coral reef and an abundance of colourful fish that are relaxing to watch. The next zone is the "Sharks and Rays", displaying sharks, sting rays, ray sharks and turtles among other creatures from the sea. The last is the "Shipwrecks Zone" featuring various kinds of fish that are edible.

This was first published at: www.thailandholidayhomes.co.uk

The last month has been very busy and filled with activities on Koh Tao. First there was the Koh Tao underwater Festival 2008 followed by the start of the second Koh Tao English Summer Camp for the children on Koh Tao. Songkran, the New Year celebration in Thailand followed on April 13th. We also had two exciting Thai Boxing tournaments on the island during the time and uncountable parties.

After the great success of having a summer camp at Secret Garden last year, the decision has been made to DO IT AGAIN! Thanks to all the help of the Community and thanks to the help of many local and guest volunteers and especially Pi Dusit from Koh Tao Info Shop and Pi Prasit from Pr@sit internet Service and not to forget the man who made it all happen, Pi Bee who launched the project in the first place and is running for it since, we will have a summer camp again this year. The opening day will be on April 1st and the camp will stay open daily for 6 weeks until 4th of May. The summer camp will be held on a different location this year. Instead of the Secret Garden area in Sairee, this years summer camp will be held in Mae Haad at the Temple garden and at the school area just behind. The new place is more convenient for the parents because of the central location. Holding the camp here will also greatly reduce transport costs and personnel. Please take a minute to read the open letter to business owners if you run a business on Koh Tao (or you know someone who does) and the list of what is needed to get the ball rolling again....in a manner of speech.

The Thai Language Lesson (TLL) project is a great opportunity for all foreigners on Koh Tao no matter where you come from, no matter how old you are.
Proper classes will be held at the Koh Tao Primary School in Mae Haad. You basically attend to the classes that have Thai language as subject. As a student of the TLL classes you will not only learn to understand Thai, but also to speak, read and write the Thai language. Your efforts in the classroom will be supported by local children what for sure is going to be fun and will give you much insight in Thai culture. By attending the TLL classes a participant must agree to be present according to the timetable of the classes, and yes, you will have to do some homework too. But hey, what a place for homework.

The Secret Garden educational and conservation program began in January 2007, the program has been compiled with the intention to help improve the current local kids’ educational and environmental standards in order for the Koh Tao community and school kids to solve the present issues and pass on the tools and knowledge to the future generations to come, for the long term benefit of Koh Tao.

After four months of hard work and dedication, in May 2007 the Secret Garden obtained OR.BOR.TOR approval and authorization to run English studies and activities for the Koh Tao primary and nursery school, as well as environmental and community projects to solve some of the current issues on the island

The Secret Garden – Koh Tao Community Project has been cleaning beaches, planting trees educating children on Koh Tao over the past two years. With the great help of the volunteers from I-to-I, who where continuously teaching English at the school and cleaning beaches on almost daily bases, great goals have been achieved during that time. You can see and feel the difference the projects are making by talking to one of the kids you meet on the street and have a conversation that would never have happened two years ago. You can walk the beach on Sairee and you will always find it clean. It’s not likely that many people realize the hours of work our volunteers spend every day to make that happen. Nobody really misses the rubbish on the beach it’s just annoying if it is there. In this article you will find all the information about what’s going on and how you can help and become a part of the solution.

January 12th is officially the day of the children in whole Thailand. The event was celebrated on the Koh Tao Primary School in Mae Haad. Many families have attented to the event. The volunteers from the Secret Garden Conservation Project helped out a great deal again. All the kids where overwhelemed by the many presents donated by the Koh Tao businesses and private donors. Pleny of incredible Thai food was served by a company of kitchen staff and the the kids and adults had a lot of fun by playing all the different games.

On June 19th a blessing takes place at the Rama V monument in Sairee Beach. The blessing will be for hundreds of Giant Clams (Tridacna Gigas) that are to be set free once again on Koh Tao. Like many years before the farmed clams come all the way from Prachuap Kiri Khan to Turtle Island to find a new home in freedom. A monk from Koh Phan Gan will visit the island especially for this occasion. The festivities start on June 18th with a ceremony at the temple in Mae Haad and will move towards the Rama V Monument in Sairee in the evening where traditional Thai Dances will be a highlight.

Koh Tao Thailand - 20-03-07 - A lot is going on on Koh Tao at this time. The ways for the first Koh Tao Summer Camp have been straightened out.

The paper work has passed and we will soon inform you about the details. All activities will be anounced on the Event Calendar
Great news is also a brand new feature of this website; the Koh Tao Market Place! If you have anything to sell or to rent, if you are looking for a place for your poppies or kittens or you looking for someone to take over your stuff or your house. Anything goes on the Koh Tao Market Place.